Medical Evacuation

A Medical Evacuation incident is one in which a casualty has sustained sufficiently serious injuries that evacuation by the Coastguard Rescue Team and/or helicopter or ambulance is required. In addition to those incidents listed below, NCI watchkeepers have given first aid at the Lookout, or provided first aid materials, to a large number of members of the public with minor injuries, mainly small cuts and bruises.

036 03 June 2018 Lady with suspected broken ankletop An off duty watchkeeper encountered a lady with suspected broken ankle on the roadway approximately half a mile from the gate. The Coastguard was informed and Rhossili Rescue Team arrived on scene to evacuate the casualty.

035 31 March 2018 Casualty with head injurytop Watchkeepers received a report from a member of the public that there was a potential casualty at the foot of the cliffs near Kitchen Corner. One of the watcheepers investigated and found that a man with a bloodied head was attempting to climb up the cliff path. The Coastguard was informed and the Rhossili Rescue Team tasked to attend. In the meantime the casualty came to the NCI lookout where First Aid was administered by one of the watchkeepers. A lift was offered to the casualty by the CRT but declined and the casualty walked back to the village.

03430 March 2018 Evacuation of woman with injured shouldertop While on a cliff patrol, one of the duty watchkeepers came across a woman who had fallen and injured, possibly broken, her shoulder. A 999 call was made for an ambulance and the Coastguard was informed. A nurse arrived to deal with the casualty and also the Rhossili Rescue Team were tasked and arrive on scene. A call was made for a doctor to attend.

03305 October 2017 Medical evacuation of a person taken ill on cliff path.top A member of the public reported to watchkeepers that there was a person who was taken serioisly ill on the cliff path. A 999 call was made to the Coastguard who asked that a watchkeeper attend the casulaty and request an ambulance. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team was paged and arrived on scene. While the watchkeeper returned to base, the CRT assessed the situation and called for medical assistance. Both land and air ambulances arrived on scene and the latter transported the casualty to hospital.

03214 August 2017 Medical evacuation of woman with Suspected Dislocated Kneetop A member of the public came into the lookout to request an ice pack for a woman who had a suspected dislocated knee. The casualty was located halfway back from the station to Rhossili village. The Coastguard was informed and the Coastguard Rescue Team tasked to attend and arrived on site shortly after. The Coastguard requested an ambulance and some time later a first response arrived. Eventually a Coastguard Rescue Helicopter landed nearby to take the casualty to hospital. Click HERE to see a photograph of the helicopter landing at the scene.

031 29 June 2017 Evacuation of man with apparent serious medical conditiontop A member of the public reported to duty watchkeepers that an elderly man was lying on the damp ground about two hundred yards from the lookout. One of the watchkeepers went over to investigate and it was clear that the man's medical condition was of serious concern. A 999 call was made to the ambulance service and the Coastguard informed. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked and arrived on scene and requested paramedics to attend. An ambulance was requested. The Coastguard helicopter came to take the casualty to hospital.

03019 April 2017 Evacuation of woman with ankle injurytop A member of the public reported to watchkeepers that his wife had injured her ankle and was at the base of the steps to the causeway. The husband gave details of the injury to the Coastguard using the NCI landline. The Coastguard informed watchkeepers that the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team had been paged. The husband was supplied with a hi-vis jacket and returned to the casualty to await rescue. The CRT arrived but, using channel 0, requested further able bodied assistance to carry the casualty on a stretcher up to the cliff top to a waiting vehicle. Assistance arrived and the casualty was evacuated safely.

02912 February 2017 Evacuation of woman bitten by a seal.top A member of the public reported to watchkeepers that a woman had been bitten by a seal after a dog had chased the seal. Milford Haven Coastguard were informed and advised observation. Two people plus two doges were observed to be making slow progress across the causeway towards the mainland. The coastguard was contacted to request transportation to evacuate the casualty back to Rhossili car park. The coastguard tried to contact members of the Coastguard Rescue Team but none were available to attend. The NCI watchkeepers were given permission to transport the casualty but asked to contact the coastguard on return. On inspection, the casualty was seen to have two puncture wounds and a significant gash. The evacuation was completed by one of the duty watchkeepers who then returned to base.

02818 August 2016 Evacuation of girl with damaged ankletop A member of the public reported that a 15-year old girl had fallen and damaged her ankle. She was located on the rocks on the land side of the causeway. Milford Haven Coastguard were informed who paged the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team and also alerted the ambulance service. The CRT arrived on scene and evacuated the casualty to the cliff top. No ambulance was immediately available and so the casualty and family were taken to the Rhossili car park by a CRT vehicle. It was understood that the family would then take the injured girl to Morriston A&E.

02707 September 2014 Evacuation of man fallen down side of cliff.top Watchkeepers were approached at the temporary lookout by a man reporting that he had seen aother man apparently falling from the cliff top in front of the Coastwatch station (The permanent station undergoing refurbishment at that time). Swansea Coastguard were informed and one of the watchkeepers went to identify exactly where the incident had occurred and radioed the details back to the temporary station. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team were paged and watchkeepers updated the Coastguard that the casualty was conscious but with significant injuries. An ex-policeman was with him.The Rescue team arrived on scene and RAF rescue helicopter 169 was tasked to attend. Soon after the helicopter arrived and eventually landed on the grass area below the cliff top to pick up the casualty. The casualty was carried along the lower path to the helicopter and transported to hospital.

026 13 August 2014 Medical evacuation of two members of the publictop Two female German students were taken ill while visiting Worm's Head. One had collapsed feeling weak and cold and watchkeepers supplied her with a blanket. The second student said she was suffering from severe abdominal pains. Swansea Coastguard were informed and Emergency Services alerted. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team arrived to attend to the casualties. A medical rapid response vehicle arrived and the casualties were taken into the back room of the NCI lookout for evaluation. A little later, an ambulance arrived and both casualties were taken to hospital.

02518 February 2014 Injured man evacuated by ambulancetop A young boy reported to watchkeepers that a man had been injured on the causeway and was being helped back to the NCI lookout by the boy’s aunt. The casualty arrived at the lookout to rest but complained of losing sensation in his right arm and leg. His partner asked that NCI request an ambulance. Swansea Coastguard were informed and an ambulance alerted. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) were also in attendance. The casualty was transported to Morriston Hospital by ambulance.

02425 August 2013. Injured woman.top A member of public came to lookout to ask for assistance as his girlfriend had badly twisted her ankle. It was very swollen and she could not bear to put any weight on her foot. Swansea Coastguard was informed. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked and they carried the casualty to the top of cliff on a stretcher, accompanied by rest of her family. She was transferred to the Coastguard vehicle and taken with family members to their car in Rhossili Car Park where they would seek further medical advice and treatment.

023 24 August 2013. Injured man.top A member of public reported that there was a male casualty on rocks at the landward end of the rocky causeway. Swansea Coastguard was informed and the first informant explained the injury to them. As the wound was reported to be severe, First Aid dressings were provided. When the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) arrived on scene, the wound had been dressed and the casualty was stable. The walking casualty was accompanied up the cliff path by the CRT and returned to the car park in the coastguard vehicle.

022 08 August 2013. Injured woman.top A member of the public called at the lookout and reported that a lady had fallen and gashed her leg. One of the watch keepers took First Aid to scene. First Aid was administered by the first informant, who was a qualified first aider. The watch keeper decided that further help was needed. He radioed the request to the other watch keeper who informed Swansea Coastguard and medical evacuation was arranged. A few minutes later the coastguard contacted NCI and requested more information which was supplied. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) arrived at the incident enabling the first watch keeper to return to the lookout after handing over to the CRT. The air ambulance arrived on scene. The CRT removed the casualty in their vehicle and took her and her companion home where she would make her own arrangements for any further treatment. The air ambulance left the scene. Photos of incident

02106 August 2012. Injured man rescued from cliffs.top A member of the public came to the lookout to report that a man had fallen on the footpath and hurt his head. One of the watch keepers investigated and called Swansea Coastguard. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) arrived and the members were directed to casualty. Swansea Coastguard informed the watch keepers that the RAF Search and Rescue helicopter (Rescue 169) had been tasked as no land ambulances were available and the air ambulance was not available either. When Rescue 169 arrived, the paramedic was winched down to assess the casualty. The casualty was winched into the helicopter which departed to A&E at Morriston Hospital. Click here for some photos of the rescue.

02025 July 2012. Injured woman rescued from cliffs.top A member of public reported a female on the grass at base of path towards the causeway, who had fallen and had a suspected broken leg. The watch keepers informed Swansea Coastguard. One of the watch keepers accompanied the first informant to the casualty to gather information requested by the Coastguard. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) arrived and were met by NCI and directed to casualty. Further members of the CRT arrived to attend to the casualty and make her comfortable. A Welsh Ambulance Service Paramedic arrived to attend casualty. The RAF Search and Rescue helicopter (Rescue 169) arrived on scene, winched the casualty aboard and transferred her to A&E at Morriston Hospital. Photo for incident.

01921 July 2012. Injured girl rescued from Worm's Head.top A member of the public came to the lookout to report seeing female teenager on her own, on a rock on the far side of the rocky causeway, nursing one ankle. A watch keeper went to the edge of cliff to check the location and confirmed the girl was being carried by two males across the causeway. Swansea Coastguard was contacted and they tasked the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) to carry out the medical evacuation. The CRT called at the lookout and casualty was identified to them by the watch keepers. The casualty (a Spanish student) was carried to the CRT rescue vehicle by two members of team and passed into the care of student party instructor who would arrange for any medical treatment that was required.

01818 June 2012. Unconcious man rescued from cliffs.top A member of the public called at the lookout to report that a man had fallen down the cliff. Swansea Coastguard was informed. Two other members of public were giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked and when on scene requested an RAF Search and Rescue helicopter to recover the casualty as he was unconscious on a cliff ledge, north of Kitchen Corner. The Air Ambulance was also requested for medical assistance. The crew of RAF Sea King, Rescue 169, were informed en route that the casualty was not breathing and CPR was continuing. The Air Ambulance arrived on site followed shortly after by Rescue 169. The casualty was winched into Rescue 169 and transported to Morriston Hospital.

01720 May 2012. Injured man rescued from rocks.top A man called at the lookout to report that his 73 year old father had fallen on the rocky causeway and injured his head. The watch keepers provided a sleeping bag to help keep the casualty warm as he had fallen into a pool. Swansea Coastguard was informed; they tasked the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) and requested an ambulance. The CRT arrived on scene as did the Air Ambulance helicopter a short time later. The casualty was attended by paramedics from the Air Ambulance and then assisted up the cliff by the paramedics and the CRT and onto the helicopter which took him and his daughter to A&E at Morriston Hospital. Click here for photo.

01626 February 2012. Injured girl.top Swansea Coastguard contacted the duty watch keepers regarding a 999 call they had received from a member of the public on Worm's Head concerning a 12 year old girl who had fallen 8ft and injured her ankle. The accident occurred on the south eastern end Worm's Head and the watch keepers were asked to observe and report.Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) arrived on site and a detachment crossed to the Worm to assess the casualty. They determined that she had suffered head injuries as well and an air ambulance was requested. Helimed 57 was unavailable so the Search and Rescue helicopter Rescue 169 was tasked and arrived in about 15 minutes. The winchman was lowered to the casualty and the helicopter then landed on a small area of grass near the bell. When the casualty had been prepared for lifting, the winchman and casualty were winched on board the helicopter which departed for A&E at Morriston Hospital.

01517 September 2011. Injured man.top A member of the public reported that an elderly man had fallen on the rocky causeway. When he was helped to his feet he fell again and hit his head. Swansea Coastguard was informed who tasked the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) to attend and, because it was a head injury, requested an ambulance. The CRT arrived on site, located the casualty and administered first aid. They helped him up the cliffs, transferred him to their Land Rover and drove him to their base in Rhossili village to await the ambulance which was expected in about 20 minutes.

014 05 August 2011. Collapsed person.top The manager of the National Trust Shop at Rhossili arrived at the lookout to report a member of the public in a poor state, following a possible fit on the track down from the gate. He reported the casualty was in a dazed condition and was bleeding from the mouth possibly from a bitten tongue. The watch keepers relayed the message to Swansea Coastguard who tasked Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT). When the CRT arrived on scene, they requested an ambulance. The air ambulance arrived with a paramedic who arranged for the casualty to be moved to the CRT's base near the main car park. The air ambulance repositioned to the car park. The land ambulance arrived and the casualty was transferred to it and taken to hospital.

013 03 August 2011. Injured child.top A woman brought her son to the lookout; his knee was bandaged with a shirt. She explained that his knee was gashed to the bone. The bandage was not removed. Swansea Coastguard was informed and they tasked the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team who collected the boy from the lookout and transferred him to the car park so that the boy’s parents could take him to A&E at Morriston Hospital.

012 22 July 2011. Medical evacuation - injured man.top Swansea Coastguard contacted the watch keepers as they had received a call regarding a fisherman who had slipped and hit his head. He was bleeding profusely. Since his location was not far from the look out, the Coastguard provided the watch keepers with the general location of the casualty (alongside the Vile – the medieval field system nearby) and asked that they carry out a visual search to find him. The watch keepers searched the area using binoculars but could not see the casualty. Swansea Coastguard was informed. Meanwhile, Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) had been tasked. They located the casualty at a different part of the Vile and administered first aid. The Air Ambulance (Helimed 57) was requested. The casualty was carried in the CRT’s Land Rover to the clear area near the look out where team members deployed a smoke flare. The helicopter landed near the lookout. Following attention by the paramedic, the casualty was taken on board the helicopter and evacuated to Morriston Hospital. The CRT then recovered the casualty’s fishing gear and vehicle and returned to base. Some photos taken during the rescue can be seen....More about Incident

01122 February 2011. Injured child.top A man called in to the lookout to report that his daughter had fallen and hit her head on rocks and had been unconscious for some 2 minutes. She had recovered consciousness and walked slowly with her mother to the grassy area below the lookout. Swansea Coastguard was informed and the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) and Helimed 57 were tasked. The child walked to the helicopter which conveyed her to Morriston Hospital. The CRT stood down.

Update. Today, the 23rd, the girl's father contacted our Station Manager to say that she spent nearly 24 hours under observation in Morriston Hospital but got the all clear from the doctors early this afternoon. Now she is safely back home. He expressed his thanks to the NCI watch keepers and also to the CRT and the Air Ambulance.

01004 August 10. Injured man.top MOP reported that a young man had fallen on the rocks below the lookout but out of sight of the watch keepers. He had sustained a serious injury to his left leg. Swansea Coastguard was informed who then spoke directly to the first informant. One of the watch keepers took the first aid kit and blankets down the cliff where one of the casualty’s companions – a trained first aider – took over. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) was deployed and the Air Ambulance arrived and took the casualty to Morriston Hospital. The CRT stood down.

00918 July 2009. Injured man.top A fisherman arrived at the lookout to ask for help for an injured companion who was in pain and had difficulty in breathing having fallen and hurt his ribs. The Swansea Coastguard was informed and the casualty made comfortable in the lookout. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team arrived on scene followed soon after by the Air Ambulance. The casualty was examined by paramedics, transferred to the helicopter and taken to Morriston Hospital. More ...

008 09 July 2009. Medical emergency. One person.top A member of the public ran to the lookout and informed the watch keepers that one of a party of schoolgirls taking part in a Duke of Edinburgh's Award exercise was experiencing breathing difficulties and having convulsions. The Swansea Coastguard was informed. One of the watch keepers went in his car with the informant to collect the girl and brought her to the lookout where she was given warm clothing and made comfortable. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) arrived on scene accompanied by an anaesthetist who was in the area and heard there was a problem. The CRT took the girl and anaesthetist to Rhossili car park where she was transferred to an ambulance and taken to hospital.

00725 May 2009. Injured person.top A member of the public reported to the watch keepers that a lady had fallen on the Inner Head out of sight of the lookout. An ankle injury was suspected but although the casualty said she was OK she was still sitting down. The Coastguard was informed and the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) was deployed. Team members located the casualty and reported she was mobile and did not require medical assistance. The CRT stood down.

00608 May 2009. Injured person.top A lady reported to the watch keepers that her mother had injured her ankle on the crossing to Worm's Head. Swansea Coastguard was informed. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team was deployed and they moved the casualty to an area where the Air Ambulance could land. The airborne paramedics transferred the casualty on a stretcher into the helicopter which took her to Morriston Hospital.

00516 April 2009. Injured person.top A member of the public informed the watch keepers that a young man had fallen about 20 feet on the outer Worm cutting his leg. A doctor, who was nearby, confirmed that no bones were broken. The Coastguard was informed and the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) was deployed. Team members went onto the Worm with a stretcher. The air ambulance arrived on scene and transferred the casualty to Morriston Hospital. Subsequently, the casualty's rucksack was handed in to the lookout by a member of the CRT and one of the watch keepers delivered it to Morriston Hospital on his way home.

00415 March 2009. Injured surfer.top Swansea Coastguard informed NCI watch keepers of an injured male who needed to be airlifted from the south side of Worm's Head. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team was deployed but then subsequently re-tasked to another incident. Two of the team remained with the NCI watch keepers in case the helicopter needed to land. SAR helicopter 169 arrived, picked up the casualty who had a dislocated shoulder and transferred him to Morriston Hospital.

00322 December 2008. Person taken ill.top Swansea Coastguard received a report of a person collapsed near Worm's Head and asked the NCI watch keepers to investigate. Nothing was seen. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team arrived. Shortly after the Coastguard rang to say that the casualty, a 12 year old boy, was located in the Worm's Head Hotel and an ambulance had been called. No further action required from the NCI watch keepers or the Rescue Team.

00203 October 2008. Injured person.top The casualty and her husband asked at the lookout for directions to the nearest A&E unit. They were visitors to the area and the woman had fallen on the rocks and broken and badly gashed a finger. The Coastguard was informed as a matter of routine and they called an ambulance. While waiting the casualty started suffering from shock. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team arrived on scene to oversee the air ambulance landing. The paramedics assessed the casualty and the helicopter transferred her to Morriston hospital.

00110 June 2008. Injured man.top A fisherman reported that his companion had slipped, injured his ankle and was unable to climb back up the cliff. The Coastguard was informed and the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team tasked. One of the NCI watch keepers went and sat with the casualty until the Rescue Team arrived. The casualty was brought to the cliff top, placed in the Coastguard vehicle and taken to the car park to meet the ambulance.